Page 28 - Swann Galleries - Fine Photographs - Sale 2304 - February 26, 2013

15 ● BEAL, JOSHUA H. (active 1860s-1870s)
“Beal’s PhotographicView of NewYork.” Remarkable 3-part panorama from the Brooklyn Bridge
Tower depicting Lower Manhattan. Albumen prints, overall size 91/2x41 inches (24.1x104.1 cm.),
flush mounted. 1876 [12,000/18,000]
Originally in the collection of John Daniel Crimmins (1844-1917), who was the former Commissioner
of Public Parks and a partner in the Crimmins Construction Co.; by descent to a family member.
Beal’s view of New York City was shot in January 1876, after the photographer wrestled his heavy
camera equipment, glass plate negatives, and tripod up the tower’s thirty flights of stairs. He exposed
five negatives to create a composite photograph.This example contains three of the images, which provided
a sweeping panorama of lower Manhattan’s landmarks, including Trinity Church and the nine-story
headquarters of the NewYork Tribune, in addition to commercial activity along the East River.
Dominating the scene is the massive NewYork Tower of the Brooklyn Bridge, which was completed in
1883. Commercial signage along the sides of buildings may be seen, including “Harper’s,” “American
Rubber Maint.,” “Abel Bros. Iron,” “Judd Storage,” “Van Dyke’s Hotel,” “United States Bonded
Warehouse,” “Ferry from Roosevelt SINY,” as well as Beal’s enhanced handwritten caption
information, “Clyde’s Line from Phila.”
NewYork,An Illustrated History, 170-171 (detail).